Navigating complex funding models

International Financial Institutions (IFIs) play a crucial role in expediting infrastructure projects in remote rural communities in Africa. With many governments grappling debt stress, IFIs offer financial assistance in the form of loans and grants as well as criteria to develop capacity and knowledge in local communities and institutions.

SMEC has collaborated with many IFI’s operating in Africa, providing technical expertise and guidance throughout the project lifecycle. Combining global best practice with local knowledge helps ensure projects are well-structured, sustainable, locally situated and delivered in accordance with international standards.

SMEC has offices across the continent, with core teams of project management professionals, who take pride in building capabilities across local institutions and communities, so they can manage and maintain new infrastructure assets. Understanding nuances in local culture and tradition is key to developing meaningful advocacy.

Experience from the field

We invited three of our colleagues to explain how SMEC is simplifying complexity to facilitate infrastructure development in rural Africa. By adopting context-specific approaches and prioritising community engagement, these projects are helping rural communities achieve greater well-being and progress.

“As part of implementing the Resettlement Action Plan and Environmental and Social Management Plans, SMEC aims to engage community members to understand gender roles and inequalities in relation to water and sanitation. One aspect of this strategy is to enable women take on leadership roles in managing and maintaining water and sanitation infrastructure.”

Edwin added, “As part of the wider sanitation improvement program SMEC has developed a detailed sanitation design manual to inform sizing of pipes and septic tanks for 18 new water-borne toilets in schools, health facilities, and public places.”

“The pavement design itself was also tailored by our understanding of the local environment and was adapted to resist the effect of freeze-thaw cycles and frost heave. Using the Lesotho pavement design guidelines, the depth of frost penetration was estimated, and frost resistant materials were specified for layers anticipated to be affected by frost penetration.  The base layer was specified as a bitumen stabilised crushed stone material where the presence of bitumen makes the layer more resistant to water ingress.”

Rob added, “During the project we identified ways to enhance local community amenity.  SMEC was involved with the construction of two new sports fields for local communities. We also supported upgrades to several local roads and driveways such as the Ramatsaliso International Border Post, the gravel road to the St Francis mission clinic, close the site camp at km 15 and two driveways at the Sehlabathebe National Park. SMEC team members also arranged to donate school shoes to a local primary school and undertook road safety training for school children.”

The all-weather surface of Ha Mpiti to Sehlabathebe now enables 12 villages to have year-round access to health facilities and amenities found in the Qachas Nek commercial district.

“Expanding energy access to remote areas often requires a decentralized approach. At Gakenke and Muhanga power is supplied by nearby micro-hydro stations such as Nyabarongo 40MW HPP. SMEC worked with the Tunisian contractor to plan the critical path whilst devising a systems approach to managing the safe and efficient storage of key materials such as telegraph poles and transformers. Through meticulous design review and on-site supervision, SMEC was able to streamline the project, reducing unnecessary material use and optimizing infrastructure placement.”

Overall, the Gakenke and Muhanga Rural Energy Access Program has contributed to significant improvements in energy access and quality of life for rural communities in Rwanda. In Gakenke the community has achieved near universal energy access, leading to an increase in the number of businesses (small shops, bakeries, and workshops), indicating the positive implications for economic development as well as education and health facilities.

A path for sustainable development

The path to sustainable development in rural Africa is founded on practical, community-centric solutions. Key takeaways from the team include:

• Appropriate Technology: Choosing appropriate technologies that are robust, and locally maintainable is essential.
• Community Participation: Involving communities across the consultation, design and implementation stages builds ownership and ensures solutions are contextually relevant.
• Local Resources: Leveraging local materials and labour can upskill communities, reduce logistical challenges, and boost rural economies.
• Practical Engineering: Finding creative, bespoke solutions to address the unique challenges of each project is key. By embracing practical solutions, leveraging local resources, and empowering communities, we can build infrastructure that truly serves the needs of those it is intended for.

Through pro-active engagement SMEC has advocated for the needs of the community, working in partnership to deliver long term sustainable infrastructure, proudly playing a part in contributing to more equitable outcomes.